That was announced on Friday evening. “Due to the current situation,” a third vaccination is recommended for people between the ages of twelve and 17 from the sixth month after the second vaccination, according to the updated application recommendation. However, the rapid spread of the omicron mutation could lead to a shortening to four months in the coming weeks.
The NIG experts emphasized that the current situation is constantly being assessed. First and only very limited data on the effectiveness of the vaccination against Omikron “indicate that the protective effect is likely to be reduced by the available vaccines, but the effectiveness in terms of avoiding hospitalization, severe courses and deaths should still be present after three vaccinations”, is the general term for the newly emerged virus variant.
With regard to a third vaccination in children between the ages of five and eleven, there are currently insufficient data for a recommendation to be made, the NIG noted. The assessment of the medical professionals for pregnant women is different. Pregnancy was included in the recommendation for use under the risks of a severe course of Covid-19. If, according to the recommendations, a third vaccination falls during pregnancy, it is now recommended to do it from the second trimester onwards, and Comirnaty (Biontech / Pfizer) should be used as for all Covid-19 vaccinations during pregnancy.
The third vaccinations for under-18-year-olds and pregnant women are done off-label, i.e. without official approval of the active ingredients for these groups of people, emphasizes the NIG. The medics on the panel now also generally recommend three days of physical rest and sports leave for one week after Covid vaccinations. If you have difficulty breathing or chest pain, you should seek medical help.
In the event of an infection after two vaccinations, a third vaccination is prescribed shortly before the end of 180 days after recovery or six to nine months after the second vaccination. The time of the third vaccination for those who have recovered in this way is “recommended at the longest possible interval,” has been re-specified.
Source: Nachrichten
